Invasive Buttonweed Cotula coronopifolia (Asteraceae) Is Halotolerant and Has High Potential for Dispersal by Endozoochory DOI Creative Commons
Raúl Sánchez-García, Andy J. Green,

Lina Tomasson

et al.

Plants, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 13(16), P. 2219 - 2219

Published: Aug. 10, 2024

Buttonweed (Cotula coronopifolia) is native to South Africa but invasive in wetlands Europe, North America, and Australasia, where it excludes plants. Despite being dry-fruited, field studies suggest migratory waterbirds can disperse its seeds via gut passage (endozoochory), aiding expansion. To explore the potential for endozoochory different regions habitats, we collected from six populations Spain, Sweden, UK. Germination was tested under salinity levels (0, 5, 10, 15 g/L) simulated treatments: scarification, acidification, or both. No germination occurred at g/L. Higher reduced delayed germination, full treatment (i.e., both scarification acidification) increased germinability accelerated germination. Scarification acid alone resulted intermediate patterns. There were significant × population interactions on germinability. The acceleration effect of stronger 5-10 g/L than 0 This study highlights how birds facilitate spread alien plants introduced by humans. Endozoochory an understudied mechanism long-distance dispersal dry-fruited Further research C. coronopifolia, including genetics, necessary understand mechanisms management strategies.

Language: Английский

Secondary Dispersal of Wetland Plants by Neotropical Otters DOI
Pedro Henrique de Oliveira Hoffmann, Andressa Adolfo, Andy J. Green

et al.

Freshwater Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 70(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Carnivorous mammals can disperse seeds and other plant propagules through gut passage (endozoochory). Otters are semiaquatic mustelids opportunistic carnivores that prey on various vertebrates, their feeding habits lead to secondary dispersal of propagules. However, this by otters has not previously been investigated. Here, we investigated the internal plants neotropical otters, Lontra longicaudis , in southern Brazil. We collected 31 faecal samples (spraints) from at a Brazilian Ramsar site Pampa biome during wet season 2022. Intact were separated each spraint, identified, germinability tested where possible. The classes vertebrate preyed upon spraint identified. effects these mass taxonomic richness abundance associated with aquatic and/or terrestrial substrates. recorded 1206 belonging 33 taxa (one charophyte, four pteridophytes, 28 angiosperms), representing 18 families including 20 strictly macrophytes. Seeds six angiosperm germinated, low overall germination rate 2%. All spraints contained fish, while 10 also remains reptiles, amphibians, mammals. was positively correlated weight. Propagule depended both weight diversity spraint. Spraints three or larger had most Most likely dispersed “diploendozoochory” involving ingestion first then otters. Neotropical have wide home range, often travelling several kilometres daily, which promote carrying between different habitats. Synthesis: Our results suggest might play an important role wetland plants, notably ferns, potentially contributing maintenance ecosystems. rate, although low, represents opportunities for successful establishment some over longer distances than those provided otter prey, emphasising ecological importance even low‐probability events. This study underlines potential carnivorous maintaining ecosystem connectivity.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Waterfowl Endozoochory: Traits Drive Plant–Bird Dispersal Interactions in North America DOI
Bia de Arruda Almeida, Giliandro G. Silva, Mihai Costea

et al.

Freshwater Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 70(4)

Published: April 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Plant biogeography and ongoing changes in plant distributions are influenced by long‐distance dispersal (LDD) of seeds, migratory waterfowl (Anatidae: Ducks, geese swans) particularly important for the plants around wetlands through gut passage (endozoochory). However, this is not contemplated classical syndromes; hence, currently we have limited understanding what angiosperm traits predict seed any differences due to avian trait variation among species. We conducted a literature search data on presence seeds alimentary canal or faeces North American as proxy interactions, since an fraction these survives passage. present list flowering species ( N = 536) from 95 families potentially dispersed 38 species, together with their vectors. Owing largely sampling effort, 47% 35% genera recorded were only found single A suite analytical approaches revealed major whose ingested likely between foraging groups (guilds) relation other traits. Diving ducks sea associated sublittoral that submerged floating leaves, hence hydrochory syndrome. Dabbling herbivorous (notably geese) terrestrial herbaceous plants, also unspecialised syndrome common plants. Plants larger greater height more be dabbling ducks, whereas shorter than waterfowl. Network analyses interactions generally consistent results, but provided evidence all geese, duck alike along terrestrial–aquatic gradient, instead occupy distinct niches. The traditional classification into guilds therefore does accurately reflect differing roles ingestion seeds. Aquatic had vector ones. Detailed studies endozoochory determinations needed facilitate predictions LDD population sizes migration patterns vary future climate change.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Directionality of long-distance seed dispersal: the role of elevational, latitudinal, and longitudinal seed dispersal under climate change DOI
Shoji Naoe

Journal of Forest Research, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 18

Published: April 15, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Darwin’s Digestion Myth: Historical and Modern Perspectives on Our Understanding of Seed Dispersal by Waterbirds DOI Creative Commons
Andy J. Green, David M. Wilkinson

Seeds, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 3(4), P. 505 - 527

Published: Sept. 24, 2024

Internal transport (endozoochory) and external (epizoochory) by migratory waterbirds are key mechanisms of long-distance dispersal for seeds other diaspores plants lacking a fleshy fruit. Beginning with Darwin in 1859, we review how opinions about the relative importance epizoochory endozoochory have changed repeatedly over time this allows us to reassess our modern understanding plant dispersal. was mistaken asserting that cannot survive passage through gut or granivorous birds. This “digestion myth” led him underestimate overstate epizoochory, an approach which is echoed throughout literature until present day. also focused on aquatic plants, yet it now clear major vectors terrestrial plants. Based their empirical observations experiments, less influential scientists (notably Hesselman 1897, Guppy 1906 Proctor 1960s) argued more important mechanism waterbirds. Modern field experimental studies demonstrate dominant role endozoochory. Unfortunately, avian dry-fruited continues be ignored as many ecologists, attribute Darwin’s continuing influence. However, has implications biogeography requires wider recognition research.

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Invasive Buttonweed Cotula coronopifolia (Asteraceae) Is Halotolerant and Has High Potential for Dispersal by Endozoochory DOI Creative Commons
Raúl Sánchez-García, Andy J. Green,

Lina Tomasson

et al.

Plants, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 13(16), P. 2219 - 2219

Published: Aug. 10, 2024

Buttonweed (Cotula coronopifolia) is native to South Africa but invasive in wetlands Europe, North America, and Australasia, where it excludes plants. Despite being dry-fruited, field studies suggest migratory waterbirds can disperse its seeds via gut passage (endozoochory), aiding expansion. To explore the potential for endozoochory different regions habitats, we collected from six populations Spain, Sweden, UK. Germination was tested under salinity levels (0, 5, 10, 15 g/L) simulated treatments: scarification, acidification, or both. No germination occurred at g/L. Higher reduced delayed germination, full treatment (i.e., both scarification acidification) increased germinability accelerated germination. Scarification acid alone resulted intermediate patterns. There were significant × population interactions on germinability. The acceleration effect of stronger 5-10 g/L than 0 This study highlights how birds facilitate spread alien plants introduced by humans. Endozoochory an understudied mechanism long-distance dispersal dry-fruited Further research C. coronopifolia, including genetics, necessary understand mechanisms management strategies.

Language: Английский

Citations

0